Display Hanger for Through Hole Attachment

ABSTRACT

A display hanger is provided to display a tool on a display rack. The display hanger includes a tab and socket. The hanger is configured to couple with the socket and the socket is configured to couple with a portion of the tool. The hanger and the socket are received within a hole in the portion of the tool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a display hanger. More particularly, the present invention relates to display hanger for hanging a tool on a display rack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tools, such as automotive tools are typically displayed on display racks by a hanger type device for a customer to see. However, current display hangers do not hang tools having a drive hole therethrough well and often these tools fall off of the display hangers. When the tools fall down, it may be hard to determine the price of the tools as price tags are no longer individually listed on the tools itself but rather on the display hanger.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device that can hang tools having a hole, such as a drive hole, on display hangers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in some embodiments a display hanger for hanging a tool on a display rack is disclosed. This display hanger includes a tab coupled to a socket, which in turn, can couple to a tool.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a display hanger for a tool is provided, which can comprise a tab having a tab hole, the tab further including a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers that extends from the tab, and a socket having a table that defines a table hole, the socket further having a first set of legs and a second set of legs extending from the table, wherein the first set of fingers is configured to interact with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably couples the socket to a portion of the tool and the second set of fingers is configured to interact with the second set of legs to releasably couple the tab and socket.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a display hanger for a tool is provided, which can comprise a means for hanging having a tab hole, the means for hanging configured to have a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers that extends from the means for hanging, and a means for holding configured to hold a tool, the means for holding having a table that defines a table hole, the means for holding further having a first set of legs and a second set of legs extending from the table, wherein the first set of fingers is configured to interact with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably couples the means for holding to a portion of the tool and the second set of fingers is configured to interact with the second set of legs to releasably couple the means for hanging and the means for holding.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, is a method of hanging a tool on a display hanger, which can insert a socket having a first and second set of legs through a tool hole of the tool, insert a tab having a first and second set of fingers through a table hole of a table of the socket, engage the first set of fingers with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably engage a portion of the tool, engage the second set of fingers with the second set of legs to releasably couple the tab with the socket, and hang the tab, the socket and the tool on the display hanger.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a display hanger according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tab according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a socket according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly view of the display hanger.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the display hanger attached to the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a display hanger having two components that could be used to hang tools having a hole, such as a drive hole of a tool. Example of the tool include locknut socket and a bud nut socket.

FIG. 1 illustrates the display hanger 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The display hanger 100 includes a tab 110 and a socket 150 that are connected together at a connector portion 160 in order to hang a tool. The tab 110 and socket 150 can be made by injection molding in one piece (as shown) or two separate pieces. When produced in one piece, it's easier to ship and later can be broken into the two components for use.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the tab 110 includes a hanging hole 112 that receives a hanger on a display board (not shown). The hanging hole 112 includes an upper portion in a half circle shape to receive the hanger. Hanging hole 112 can be any shape or size so long as it can mate to a hanger on the display board. The hanging hole 112 can be on a top portion or a first end of the tab 110.

The tab 110 includes a surface 114 for any number of uses. In one embodiment, surface 114 can be used provide information about the tool being displayed by the display hanger 110. The information can be written directly on the surface 114 or attached via a sticker. The information may include bar code number, pricing, name of the tool and the like.

On a bottom portion or a second end, the hanging hole 112 is an extended portion 116 for mating with the socket 150. The extended portion 116 includes first fingers 118 and second fingers 120 on each side of the extended portion 116. First fingers 118 are shown on each side of second fingers 120 and are of the same length. One end of first fingers 118 is flat and angled or slopes 124 at a second end.

In one embodiment second fingers 120 are longer than first fingers 118 and include a foot portion 122 at one end. Second fingers' 120 second end is angled or slopes 126. The foot portion receives a leg 156 as discussed below. In another embodiment, the second fingers 120 are shorter than the first fingers 118. In still another embodiment, the first and second fingers are the same length.

FIG. 3 illustrates the socket 150 according to an embodiment of the invention. Socket 150 includes a socket hole 152 to receive the extended portion 116 and fingers 118 and 120. The socket hole 152 is shown as being square shaped, but could be any shape including rectangular or triangular. The socket includes first legs 154 and second legs 156 to mate with a drive hole (not shown) of the tool (not shown). The first legs 154 and second legs 156 are attached at a first end to and extends from a table portion 160. The first legs 154 extends generally perpendicular to the table, however, the second legs 156 are angled at an angle other than generally perpendicular to the table. The first legs 154 are on each side of the second legs 156.

The table portion 160 is constructed and designed to be larger than the hole of the tool that it is attached to. The first and second legs each have a foot 158 at a second end.

FIG. 4 illustrates an assembly view of the display hanger 100. As shown, socket 150 along with the first 154 and second legs 156 can be inserted through a tool hole 202 of a tool 200. The legs as discussed below, can engage the socket 200. Once the socket 150 is in place, the tab with its' fingers can be inserted through the socket hole 152, wherein the fingers can engage the legs. The first fingers 118 will contact first legs 154 and second fingers 120 will contact second legs 156.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the display hanger 100 attached to the tool 200. In this view, the first fingers 118 engages the first legs 154 to bias the first legs against the tool 200 and allow the first legs' feet 158 to engage a bottom portion 206. In this engagement, the display hanger 100 is removably coupled to the tool 200. In another embodiment, the feet 158 is not present, but that biasing of the first legs against the tool can allow the display hanger to be friction pressed against the tool.

In order to prevent the tag from disengaging from the socket prematurely (and indirectly to the tool), the second finger's feet 122 engages the bottom portion of the second legs 156. This allows the tag 110 and socket 150 to be removable coupled to each other. Thus, an upward motion or a pull on the tag 110 or the weight of the tool will not disengage the tag 110 from the socket 150.

In order to disengage the display hanger from the tool, a simple device, such as a screwdriver or the like can be used to move the second legs 156 from the second fingers' feet 122, thereby, disengaging the tag 110 from the socket 150. Then the socket 150 can be readily removed from the tool 200. In another embodiment, the tag 110 and the socket 150 can be removed simultaneously from the socket once the second feet and legs are separated from each other.

Although the components of the display hanger can be made from injection molding, it can be made from other materials such as by casting, wood, medal or any other suitable material.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A display hanger for a tool, comprising: a tab having a tab hole, the tab further including a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers that extends from the tab; and a socket having a table that defines a table hole, the socket further having a first set of legs and a second set of legs extending from the table, wherein the first set of fingers is configured to interact with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably couples the socket to a portion of the tool and the second set of fingers is configured to interact with the second set of legs to releasably couple the tab and socket.
 2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first set of fingers and the second set of fingers can be constructed and arranged to be insertable into the table hole.
 3. The hanger of claim 1, wherein a length of the first set of fingers is different than a length of the second set of fingers.
 4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first set of legs and the second set of legs are extended from the table at different angles.
 5. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the second set of fingers has a foot portion angled in relation to a main portion and located at a first end of the second set of fingers, the foot portion receives a bottom portion of the second set of legs.
 6. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first set of legs has a foot portion angled in relation to a main portion, the foot portion couples to the portion of the tool.
 7. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second set of fingers and the first and second set of legs protrude into a tool hole of the tool.
 8. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the first and second set of fingers include a tapered portion at an end of the fingers.
 9. The hanger of claim 5, wherein when the foot portion of the second set of fingers receives the bottom portion of the second set of legs, the tab and the socket do not separate from each other.
 10. A display hanger for a tool, comprising: a means for hanging having a tab hole, the means for hanging configured to have a first set of fingers and a second set of fingers that extends from the means for hanging; and a means for holding configured to hold a tool, the means for holding having a table that defines a table hole, the means for holding further having a first set of legs and a second set of legs extending from the table, wherein the first set of fingers is configured to interact with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably couples the means for holding to a portion of the tool and the second set of fingers is configured to interact with the second set of legs to releasably couple the means for hanging and the means for holding.
 11. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the first set of fingers and the second set of fingers can be constructed and arranged to be insertable into the table hole.
 12. The hanger of claim 10, wherein a length of the first set of fingers is different than a length of the second set of fingers.
 13. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the first set of legs and the second set of legs are extended from the table at different angles.
 14. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the second set of fingers has a foot portion angled in relation to a main portion and located at a first end of the second set of fingers, the foot portion receives a bottom portion of the second set of legs.
 15. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the first set of legs has a foot portion angled in relation to a main portion, the foot portion couples to the portion of the tool.
 16. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the first and second set of fingers and the first and second set of legs protrude into a tool hole of the tool.
 17. The hanger of claim 10, wherein the first and second set of fingers include a tapered portion at an end of the fingers.
 18. The hanger of claim 14, wherein when the foot portion of the second set of fingers receives the bottom portion of the second set of legs, the means for hanging and the means for holding do not separate from each other.
 19. A method of hanging a tool on a display hanger, comprising the steps of: inserting a socket having a first and second set of legs through a tool hole of the tool; inserting a tab having a first and second set of fingers through a table hole of a table of the socket; engaging the first set of fingers with the first set of legs so that the first set of legs releasably engage a portion of the tool; engaging the second set of fingers with the second set of legs to releasably couple the tab with the socket; and hanging the tab, the socket and the tool on the display hanger.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein engaging the first set of fingers further comprises biasing the first set of legs against the portion of the tool. 